Banana Grits is a popular breakfast dish in the southern United States. This comforting, creamy comfort food is sure to become a favorite in your home. It’s easy to make and full of flavor.
With only a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious and nutritious meal in no time. Plus, this is versatile so you can add your own personal touch to it.
Whether you’re feeding yourself or your entire family, everyone will love this easy-to-make meal. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of healthy fruits and grains! So don’t wait any longer – give Banana Grits a try today!
Follow the step-by-step instructions below for how to make this delicious dish and enjoy all its flavors in no time. You won’t regret it!
What is Banana Grits?
Banana Grits is a traditional breakfast dish made with cornmeal, usually served for breakfast in the southern United States. The traditional version of this dish uses butter, sugar, milk, raisins, and nuts.
However, the traditional version has been adapted and now includes bananas for added sweetness and flavor. This dish is perfect if you’re looking for something special to make in the morning but don’t have much time on your hands.
What does it taste like?
Banana Grits is a comforting and flavorful dish. The combination of sweet bananas with the earthy nuttiness of the grits gives this breakfast meal an amazing texture.
The raisins add a touch of sweetness while the nuts give it crunchiness. Cinnamon adds a warm and cozy taste to the dish, making it perfect for chilly mornings. The addition of melted butter makes it even more delicious!
How did I first get introduced to the Banana Grits?
I was visiting Georgia for a vacation, and I had heard about this amazing breakfast dish called Banana Grits. It sounded interesting, so I decided to give it a try.
When I arrived at the restaurant where I planned to have breakfast, I saw that they were serving Banana Grits! After my first bite, I knew I was in love. The combination of flavors and textures was simply amazing, and I couldn’t get enough!
I asked the restaurant owner how they made the dish. She gladly shared her recipe with me and explained each step of the process to me. I took notes so that I could remember it all when I returned home.
Back at my hotel, I experimented with the recipe and made a few changes here and there. I tried adding different ingredients to give it some extra touch. After a few attempts, I managed to perfect the dish and make it my own.
Since then, Banana Grits has been one of my go-to breakfast dishes whenever I’m in the mood for something comforting yet flavorful. It never fails to impress! I recommend trying this dish – you won’t regret it!
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How to make Banana Grits?
Making Banana Grits at home is easy and simple. All you need are a few ingredients and some basic kitchen tools.
Ingredients
- Bananas: Bananas are a nutritious fruit that add sweetness. They provide important micronutrients, such as potassium, vitamins B6 and C, magnesium, and fiber.
- Grits: Grits are ground cornmeal made from hominy or white corn. It’s often used as part of breakfast dishes in the southern United States.
- Chopped nuts: Chopped nuts are a great way to add texture and flavor to this dish. Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or pecans work well for this recipe.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a warm, sweet flavor to the Banana Grits.
- Sugar: This ingredient helps balance out the flavors in the dish while adding a touch of sweetness.
- Raisins: Raisins are dried grapes that provide an interesting texture to the dish and add to its flavor.
- Milk: Milk adds creaminess and nutrition to Banana Grits. You can use any type you prefer, such as cow’s milk, almond milk, or oat milk.
- Butter: Butter adds flavor and helps make the dish creamy and rich. You can use any type of butter you prefer, such as salted or unsalted.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Prepare the grits
- Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a pot.
- Once boiling, stir in the grits and reduce heat to low.
- Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once done, add chopped nuts and cinnamon and mix well.
Step 2
Prepare the Milk Mixture
- In a separate pot, add milk, sugar, and raisins.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- When the mixture starts simmering, reduce heat to low and stir occasionally.
Step 3
Combine Ingredients
- Add cooked grits to the milk pot and mix well.
- Simmer for 5 minutes on low heat.
- Take off the heat and stir in melted butter.
- Mash bananas into the mixture and mix until incorporated.
Step 4
Serve
- Serve Banana Grits with extra nuts and raisins on top for garnish.
Tips
- Use ripe bananas for best results.
- If you want to add a bit of heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- To make it even more special, top with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey.
- You can also add some shredded cheese for extra richness.
- If you’re short on time, try using quick-cooking grits or pre-cooked grits.
- To make a savory version of Banana Grits, add in some cooked bacon bits or sausage crumbles.
Nutrition Information
What to serve with Banana Grits?
Here are a few ideas for sides to serve with Banana Grits that complement the dish perfectly:
- Fresh fruit salad or smoothie
- Bacon or sausage
- Roasted vegetables
- A light green salad
- Homemade biscuits or toast
- Yogurt and granola parfait
- Hash browns or fried potatoes
How to store leftover Banana Grits?
If you have any leftover Banana Grits, store them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply add a splash of milk or water and heat in the microwave until warmed through.
Alternatively, you can freeze the leftovers. Place the grits in an airtight bag or container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight before reheating.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Pregnant women can certainly consume Banana Grits. This dish is a great option for pregnant women because it contains many key nutrients that are essential for mother and baby’s health.
Bananas are rich in folate, which helps prevent birth defects during the early stages of pregnancy, while grits provide complex carbohydrates to help with energy levels. The nuts and raisins in the dish also provide important minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iron.
Banana Grits can be a healthy addition to any pregnancy diet! However, pregnant women should be aware of some potential risks when consuming Banana Grits.
If you are using pre-packaged grits, they may contain added sugar or salt which should be avoided during pregnancy. Additionally, if the procedure calls for butter, it is best to use clarified butter or ghee instead as it is easier to digest.
Banana Grits Recipe
Equipment
- A pot and bowl
Ingredients
- 4 Bananas
- 10 cups Grits
- 1/2 cup nuts Chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (cinnamon powder)
- 8 tbsp granulated sugar
- 8 tbsp raisins or dried cranberries
- 4 cups buttermilk or whole milk
- 1/3 cup Unsalted butter
Instructions
- In a pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the grits and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once done, add chopped nuts and cinnamon and mix well.
- Meanwhile, prepare the Milk Mixture by adding milk, sugar, and raisins to a pot. Simmer over medium heat and reduce when it starts simmering. Keep stirring occasionally.
- Combine the cooked grits with the Milk Mixture and mix well. Simmer for 5 minutes on low heat. Take off the heat and stir in melted butter. Mash bananas into the mixture and mix until incorporated.
- Serve the Banana Grits with extra nuts and raisins on top for garnish. Enjoy this flavorful, comforting breakfast dish!
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for best results.
- If you want to add a bit of heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- To make it even more special, top with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey.
- You can also add some shredded cheese for extra richness.
- If you’re short on time, try using quick-cooking grits or pre-cooked grits.
- To make a savory version of Banana Grits, add in some cooked bacon bits or sausage crumbles.
FAQs
What if I don’t have access to grits?
If you don’t have access to grits, polenta can be used as an alternative. Polenta is ground yellow cornmeal that has a similar texture and flavor as grits.
How can I make this vegan?
To make a vegan version of Banana Grits, replace the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. You can also use plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk.
Can I add other ingredients?
Yes, you can add other ingredients to give this dish your own twist. Feel free to mix in other ingredients such as shredded coconut or dried fruit. You can also add some bacon bits or sausage crumbles for a savory version.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for trying out this Banana Grits! This dish is a great way to start your day with something comforting yet flavorful.
Please share this article with your friends and family if you enjoyed it, and feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or feedback.
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.